John 8:9

being convicted by their own conscience These words are probably a gloss added by some copyist, like -as though He heard them not," added by our translators (John 8:6).

beginning at the eldest Literally, beginning at the elders: but it means the elders in years, not the Elders; so that our translators have done well to avoid a literal rendering which would have been misleading. Meyer suggests that the oldest would be shrewd enough to slip away at once without compromising themselves further; certainly they would have the largest experience of life and its temptations.

was left alone Not that there were no witnesses, but that they had withdrawn to a distance. The graphic precision of this verse indicates the account of an eyewitness.

standing in the midst Literally, being in the midst, where the brutality of her accusers had placed her (John 8:3).